QT Sydney

'Hip' has a new address.

The iconic Gowings building in Sydney has recently had a make over and has been transformed into part  U.K mega-store Topshop and boutique hotel QT!

QT is actually set within two landmark buildings, The Gowings building and the State Theatre.

Architects Nic Graham & Associates and Indyk Architects worked to create an edgy space that combines the rich and colourful past of these two Sydney buildings with contemporary and unique aspects of the Sydney lifestyle today.

The hotel boasts 200 guest rooms decorated in 12 different styles. These rooms include some of the coolest bathrooms we've seen in hotels. Most bathrooms have the luxurious freestanding bathtub as well as contemporary square tapware. They've also included some fun details in the accessories such as the 'hand' mirror holders and ceramic bunnies.

The quirky design aesthetic has been carried through to the hotels restaurant (Gownings bar & grill) and bar (Gilt Lounge) with a hint of the 1920's thrown in there as homage to the buildings era. They have quickly become hot spots for the Sydney's 'it' crowd (which also included a visit from R-Pattz this week while on his promo tour!)

Sydney's newest boutique hotel has been described as accommodation unlike any other, and it's not hard to see why.

Images via QT

Colour trend... Red

Isy by Zucchetti

Red is a tricky colour to pull off in any interior, let alone the bathroom.

It is quite striking in a predominantly white room as a contemporary and effective accent.

We would put together a crisp white contemporary freestanding bath with a bright red Wishbone side table and some simple accessories for a clean, minimal look.

Scarlet is not for the faint-hearted, so here are some great examples or red success.

Wishbone by Frost

source unknown

source unknown

Bronte house kitchen by Tobias Partners

source unknown

source unknown

Morphing by KOS 

Cersaie 2012

Bologna is not only a beautiful city with beautiful people and great food, it is also home to the Cersaie bathroom and tile fair once a year.

Staff at Candana have been coming here for over 15 years now and we have watched not only the size of the exhibition grow but also the quality of product displayed.

Over the years you see the way the European market changes. Four years ago it was the introduction of black. Black was back.

Before then it was hard edged square that was the fashion. Not only in tiles, basins and toilets but black tapware was all the rage. 

This year it is colour. Everything is colour and we love it. 

Tiles are changing, pastel colours are back in fashion but we are now seeing this applied to ceramics.

Baby blues, soft yellow, pastel pinks and warm greys. Often we see that some trends don't follow through to the Australian market but I think this one is a winner.

Designers are now looking at how to introduce colour and simplicity to an ever expanding market. 

The renowned Philippe Starck has introduced a new tile line that erases the concern over tile lines that don't match up. Displaying these in the usual colours but also introducing soft pastel colours in a way that says to me "let's have some fun now".

We have all experienced the gfc in one way or another and the stress that comes with it.

I think if anything has come out if this fair it's an attitude of "Let's enjoy life and the colours that come with it".

I know I will take that on board when we look at new product in the future. 

Stay tuned for our launch in to the tile world, early 2013.

Marc Reed- Managing Director of Candana

Top 10: Outdoor bathrooms

With summer just around the corner, we thought it might be a good idea to share with you some of our top picks for outdoor bathrooms.

We are finding that outdoor showers and bathrooms are becoming increasingly popular. It is a necessity that coastal homes, pools and outdoor entertaining areas have an outdoor bathroom as there is nothing worse than leaving a trail of water and sand through a gorgeous open plan living space.

We think everyone loves the feeling of being on holiday on some sea-side retreat, so why not install one in your backyard?